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Villa Questions Renters Should Ask
Villa Questions Renters Should Ask
Does anyone have a list of questions renters should ask owners/agents before or after booking a villa? We were first-time renters last year and didn't know much about anything. I'm trying to be more thorough this year. And, since I'm unemployed right now 
, I have plenty of time to obsess.
Thanks.
, I have plenty of time to obsess. Thanks.
When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else. – Mark Twain
For us:
Is it clothing-optional private?
Will there be a welcome basket on arrival? (Hubby gets crabby if he hasn't eaten in a while, so this is very important to our planning.)
What are the hours of sun on the pool deck?
Depending on group size, how many cars can be parked in the drive?
If no AC, how are the breezes? Are there floor fans?
If not listed on website, what size/configuration are the beds? (One of our travel companions MUST have a king bed, preferably without footboard, believe it or not.)
I scour the pictures on the website looking for anything that might prompt me to ask questions. "Say, there's a big wall there, what's on the other side?" "Looks like there might be another house fairly close by. How close, rental or local, any noise problems in the past?"
Is there a safe, where is it located? (If 2 couples, it can be a pain to the other couple if the safe is in one couple's bedroom.)
Is there a hairdryer?
Is there a coffee grinder (so I know whether to buy beans or ground)?
Cooler? Beach chairs?
Are there screens on the windows, are they in good repair? (Have had bugs in the house due to bad screen in the past.)
You can ask about construction in the area, but if you're booking very far out they just probably won't be able to give you an answer that will still apply when you get there.
Hope that helps!
Is it clothing-optional private?
Will there be a welcome basket on arrival? (Hubby gets crabby if he hasn't eaten in a while, so this is very important to our planning.)
What are the hours of sun on the pool deck?
Depending on group size, how many cars can be parked in the drive?
If no AC, how are the breezes? Are there floor fans?
If not listed on website, what size/configuration are the beds? (One of our travel companions MUST have a king bed, preferably without footboard, believe it or not.)
I scour the pictures on the website looking for anything that might prompt me to ask questions. "Say, there's a big wall there, what's on the other side?" "Looks like there might be another house fairly close by. How close, rental or local, any noise problems in the past?"
Is there a safe, where is it located? (If 2 couples, it can be a pain to the other couple if the safe is in one couple's bedroom.)
Is there a hairdryer?
Is there a coffee grinder (so I know whether to buy beans or ground)?
Cooler? Beach chairs?
Are there screens on the windows, are they in good repair? (Have had bugs in the house due to bad screen in the past.)
You can ask about construction in the area, but if you're booking very far out they just probably won't be able to give you an answer that will still apply when you get there.
Hope that helps!
Jennifer
I like to make sure that the pics on the website accurately reflect the current status of the house. My highest priority is the view and I want to make sure that the landscaping hasn't matured to the point where it might obstruct the views. (Knowing how old the pics are might also help in determining the current condition of the house.) Ali~
STJ - I "get it"
Cute! Wouldn't that be Lizard Cam?waterguy wrote:That wasn't a lizard that was my Hogan heros shower cam
VickiH - We had a couple of peeping lizards last year, too. Kinda freaked me out to open my eyes and see this little green critter looking back at me.
Thanks for all the good posts. Probably won't have to worry about clothing optional this trip since teenage daughter will be along. Don't want to scar her for life.
When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else. – Mark Twain
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martini girl
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:29 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
Shortly before you arrive, I'd ask if any appliances are in need of repair? (this could relate to hot tubs too) We found out the hard way that our oven was not working, and oops, our rental agent forgot to tell us when she gave us the tour. It was a good thing we had planned on eating out a lot as opposed to cooking in, or we would've been in trouble.
Also, I scour the website pictures to pick out some things with which to question the rental agency. In one villa I had considered, I saw a wall unit a/c that looked rather old and junky and when I inquired about it, the agent insisted that all a/c units were newer and I was mistaken. I think the pictures were from a different agency, and when I asked her to pull up the website I was looking at that showed a better picture of the wall unit, she immediately asked her maintenance person who happened to be in the office at the time, and he verified what I had seen. She apologized for her error (not very graciously I might add) but it just proved to me that I needed to be persistent in obtaining answers.
Also, I scour the website pictures to pick out some things with which to question the rental agency. In one villa I had considered, I saw a wall unit a/c that looked rather old and junky and when I inquired about it, the agent insisted that all a/c units were newer and I was mistaken. I think the pictures were from a different agency, and when I asked her to pull up the website I was looking at that showed a better picture of the wall unit, she immediately asked her maintenance person who happened to be in the office at the time, and he verified what I had seen. She apologized for her error (not very graciously I might add) but it just proved to me that I needed to be persistent in obtaining answers.
How much water is in the cistern - is it drinkable?
Is there a generator - is it automatic -- will it power the AC - does it have adequate fuel?
Is it considered an open air house?
How interesting is it to turn the car around? Do I have to back in the driveway?
Does the deck furniture have cushions?
What is the internet situation?
Is there a local land line?
Are the outside lights on a timer if you come home after dark?
Is there a gas or charcoal grill?
Are there real wine glasses?
Are there any interior locked rooms?
Books,games, puzzles, pool toys, etc?
Nightlights?
icemaker?
Who do you call about any real problems? on site? are they on Island?
And for the real forum veterans-- Is there a waffle maker?
Is there a generator - is it automatic -- will it power the AC - does it have adequate fuel?
Is it considered an open air house?
How interesting is it to turn the car around? Do I have to back in the driveway?
Does the deck furniture have cushions?
What is the internet situation?
Is there a local land line?
Are the outside lights on a timer if you come home after dark?
Is there a gas or charcoal grill?
Are there real wine glasses?
Are there any interior locked rooms?
Books,games, puzzles, pool toys, etc?
Nightlights?
icemaker?
Who do you call about any real problems? on site? are they on Island?
And for the real forum veterans-- Is there a waffle maker?
Thanks for all the good questions guys. Do most villas have generators? I would have never thought about that one.
Did I read somewhere that if the electricity goes off, don't flush or run the water until it comes back on?
Thanks, again.
Did I read somewhere that if the electricity goes off, don't flush or run the water until it comes back on?
Thanks, again.
When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else. – Mark Twain